CBL cases Flashcards
General enquiry for paediatric patients
- feeding
- activity
- sleep
- temperament
Important features in a paediatric history specifically
Maternal history:
- antenatal: scan abnormalities, infections
- perinatal: gestation, delivery, complications
- postnatal: time in SCBU, neonatal sepsis
Developmental history
Immunisations
SHx: smokers in the house, social worker involvement, family and school life
FHx: congenital heart/hip/kidney disease, consanguinity
Which murmurs in children are never innocent
Diastolic
Common urine dip finding in febrile children
Raised protein - transient proteinuria in febrile illnesses
Vaccinations at 8 weeks
6 in 1 (diphtheria, hep B, Hib, polio, tetanus, whooping cough
Rotavirus
MenB
Timing for late-onset GBS sepsis
Up to 3 months after birth
When would you give steroids in meningitis
Never <3 months of age Give dexamethasone if >3 months and: - frankly purulent CSF - WCC>1000 - raised WCC + protein + bacteria on gram stain
Important differential if fever >5 days
Kawasaki disease
How to differentiate between a rigor and a febrile convulsion
Consciousness
Causative organism in Scarlet fever
Streptococcus pyogenes (Group A beta-haemolytic strep) Normally present in nasopharynx but may cause tonsillitis or pharyngitis (Scarlet fever evolves from this)
Spread of Scarlet fever
Respiratory droplet spread
Incubation period for Scarlet fever - when are they contagious?
1-7 days
During the active illness and the incubation period
Common age for Scarlet fever
Age 2-10 years (unlikely under 2 due to maternal antibody protection)
Common presentation of Scarlet fever
Sudden onset fever with tachycardia followed by typical rash 24-48 hours later
White strawberry tongue which then sheds (desquamation) to red strawberry tongue
Peeling skin of fingers and toes especially
Typical rash in Scarlet fever
Generalised erythema with pin-point, dark red spots overlying and a coarse/sandpaper texture
Typically affects neck, chest and scapular regions first before spreading to trunk and legs
Circumoral pallor
Treatment for Scarlet fever
Antibiotics - penicillin or azithromycin for 10 days
Rest and adequate fluids
Ibuprofen/paracetamol for symptom relief
What is Kawasaki disease
Systemic, autoimmune mediated vasculitis affecting small and medium sized vessels
Also known as mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome
Where is Kawasaki disease most common
Japan (and East Asia)
Diagnostic criteria for Kawasaki disease
Fever for >5 days and 4 of the following:
1. conjunctivitis
2. mucous membrane changes (e.g. strawberry tongue, dry and cracked lips)
3. cervical lymphadenopathy
4. widespread erythematous maculopapular rash
5. desquamation or oedema of feet/hands
Children will be very irritable
Phases of Kawasaki disease course of illness
Acute (1-2 weeks) - child is most unwell with fever, rash and lymphadenopathy
Subacute (2-8 weeks) - acute symptoms settle, skin peels and arthralgia sets in. Risk of CAAs
Convalescent (months+) - resolution of symptoms and biochemical results. Cardiac dysfunction may still occur
Most important possible complication of Kawasaki disease
Cardiac complications - coronary artery aneurysms
Treatment for Kawasaki disease
Aspirin + IV immunoglobulin
Follow up with echocardiograms
Where is group B strep commonly found
Vagina and rectum (20-40% of women in the UK)
Risk of baby developing GBS infection if found by vaginal swab at 35-37 weeks gestation
1 in 500
Higher risk if GBS detected in urine
3 complications of GBS infection in newborns
Sepsis
Pneumonia
Meningitis
Risk factors for early-onset neonatal GBS infection
- intrapartum fever (>38C)
- prematurity (<37/40)
- prolonged ROM (>18hrs)
- known GBS carrier
- previous infant with GBS infection
- GBS UTI during current pregnancy
Intrapartum management of GBS
Intrapartum abx prophylaxis (prevention of early-onset neonatal infection) - IV BenPen
Postpartum management of GBS
Measure CRP of babies starting abx
IV BenPen with gentamycin
?stopping abx at 36 hours if showing signs of response
Definition of Henoch-Schonlein purpura (HSP)
IgA-mediated autoimmune hypersensitivity vasculitis of childhood
Clinical features of HSP
Skin purpura Arthritis Abdo pain GI bleeding Nephritis
Description of typical rash in HSP
Begins as red spots/bumps (hive-like appearance) rapidly changes to small, dark, purple bumps (palpable purpura) within first 24 hours
Lower legs, buttocks, elbows and knees
Symmetrical distribution
Treatment for HSP
Normally self-limiting condition therefore supportive treatment and prevention of complications
Monitor renal function - blood pressure, urinalysis, U&Es
Renal involvement in HSP
Up to 55% of children but is generally mild
Ranges from microscopic haematuria and mild proteinuria to nephrotic/nephritic syndrome and renal failure
Prognosis for HSP
Generally self-limiting and resolves within 4 weeks
Prognosis depends on severity of renal involvement
Definition of febrile convulsion
Seizures which occur in response to a rapid rise in temperature (fever >38C)
3 classifications of febrile convulsion
- simple febrile seizure
- complex febrile seizure
- febrile status epilepticus
Features of simple febrile seizure
Tonic clonic seizure lasting <15 mins
Don’t reoccur within 24hrs or within same febrile illness
No long-term neuro effects, no increased risk of epilepsy
Features of complex febrile seizure
Features of focal seizure
Lasts >15 mins
Reoccur within same febrile illness
What is febrile status epilepticus
Febrile seizure lasting >30 mins
Risk factors for reoccurrence of febrile seizure
- young age at first seizure
- first seizure occurs early in course of infection
- low temp at first seizure (low threshold)
- FHx
Differentials for seizures in children
Epilepsy Head injury Encephalitis Hypoglycaemia Hyperglycaemia
Common infections causing febrile seizures
Otitis media
Viral infections
Tonsillitis
Description of tonic-clonic seizure
Tonic phase = body is stiff and rigid for up to 60 seconds, incontinence and tongue biting may occur
Clonic phase = generalised convulsions and limb jerking
Management approach for simple febrile convulsions
Parental education and reassurance
Antipyretics in febrile illnesses, removal of excess clothing
Timing and describing seizure
Management of prolonged febrile seizure (>5 mins)
Rectal or buccal diazepam
Repeat at 5 mins
When to suspect (and treat) meningitis in a febrile seizure
Systemically unwell, irritable or drowsy before seizure GCS <15 one hour after Neck stiffness Non-blanching rash Bulging fontanelle
Treatment of meningococcal disease
BenPen or cefotaxime
Criteria for moderate acute asthma in children
- able to talk in sentences
- oxygen over 92%
- peak flow over 50% best/predicted
- HR <140 (age 1-5) or <125 (5+)
- RR <40 (age 1-5) or <30 (5+)
Criteria for severe acute asthma in children
- can’t complete full sentences
- oxygen under 92%
- peak flow 33-50% best/predicted
- HR >140 (age 1-5) or >125 (5+)
- RR >40 (age 1-5) or >30 (5+)
Criteria for life-threatening acute asthma in children
- exhaustion
- hypotension
- cyanosis
- silent chest
- poor resp effort
- confusion
- peak flow <33% best/predicted
- oxygen under 92%
What is stridor
Inspiratory wheeze caused by an upper airway obstruction
Management of mild croup
Oral dexamethasone 0.15mg/kg single dose
Management of moderate croup
Oral dexamethasone 0.15mg/kg single dose and observe in ED for 2-3 hours
If worsening symptoms give nebulised adrenaline 5ml of 1:1000 and observe
Management of severe croup
Nebulised adrenaline 5ml of 1:1000 and oral/IV dexamethasone 0.15mg/kg
Oxygen by facemask
Definition of bronchiolitis
Inflammation and infection in the bronchioles (LRTI)
Cause of bronchiolitis
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) most commonly
What age group gets bronchiolitis
Under 6 months most common
Under 1 year old
Age 1-2 more rare, in children with underlying lung disease
Risk factors for severe disease in bronchiolitis
Prematurity Low birth weight Mechanical ventilation as a neonate Age <12 weeks (now) Medical conditions: chronic lung disease, congenital heart disease, neuro disease, epilepsy, diabetes, immunocompromise, congenital airway defects, Downs
Pathophysiology of bronchiolitis
Virus invasion and inflammatory response causes swelling and mucus of the small airways. Young children have very small airways to begin with therefore this change causes significant impact on their breathing ability.
Course of illness in bronchiolitis
Begins as URTI - coryzal symptoms
Chest symptoms day 1-2
Peak of symptoms day 3-4
Symptoms generally resolve day 7-10
What are the signs of respiratory distress in infants
Raised resp rate Use of accessory muscles and head bobbing Intercostal and subcostal recession Tracheal tug Grunting Nasal flaring Cyanosis
What is heard on auscultation of the chest in bronchiolitis
Wheeze and crackles
How may very young infants present differently in bronchiolitis
May present with apnoeas (periods of no breathing) and no other signs
Criteria for admission in bronchiolitis
- aged <3 months
- pre-existing conditions e.g. Downs, prematurity, CF
- decreased feeding <75% normal
- clinical dehydration
- RR >70
- oxygen <92%
- respiratory distress
- apnoeas
- parents unable to cope/ living far from medical care
What is the general approach to managing bronchiolitis
Supportive - reassurance to parents, fluid intake, nasal suctioning if needed
When to give supplementary oxygen in bronchiolitis
Sats consistently below 92%
Criteria for discharge after bronchiolitis admission
- clinically stable
- taking adequate oral fluids
- maintaining oxygen over 92% in air for >4 hours including a period of sleep
Immunoprophylaxis for bronchiolitis
Palivizumab (monoclonal antibody) - gives passive immunity to those at high risk of developing severe disease
Definition of viral-induced wheeze
Acute wheezy illness caused by viral infection
Cause of viral-induced wheeze
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
Pathophysiology of viral-induced wheeze
Virus infection and inflammatory response leads to inflammation and oedema in airways. Also causes bronchoconstriction.
Difference between viral-induced wheeze and bronchiolitis
Viral-induced wheeze most common aged 1-3 whereas bronchiolitis is most common under 1
Viral-induced wheeze shows bronchoconstriction whereas bronchiolitis is ‘wet lungs’ i.e. mucus/oedema
This is related to the child’s developing immune system and different immune responses at different ages
How to distinguish between asthma and viral-induced wheeze
Asthma isn’t commonly diagnosed before age 5, VIW is most common under 3
Asthma shows atopic history, VIW doesn’t
VIW only occurs during viral infections whereas asthma is likely to have other triggers such as cold weather, dust, exercise`
Definition of asthma
Chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa and hyper-reactive airways resulting in bronchoconstriction and reversible airway narrowing
Differentials for asthma in chidlren
Transient early wheezers/ viral-induced wheeze (associated with viral infection, aged under 3)
Non-atopic wheezers (resolves by age ~5)
What is the management of viral-induced wheeze
Same as management of acute asthma in children
First-line treatments for acute asthma in children
- Oxygen (if <94%)
- Salbutamol
- MDI + spacer: 10 puffs (100mcg)
- nebs if needing O2: 2.5-5mg - Ipratropium bromide
- 250mcg nebs - Steroids
- oral prednisolone 10-40mg depending on age
Second-line treatments for acute asthma in children (not responding to first-line methods)
- IV salbutamol
- IV bolus of 15mcg/kg over 10 mins
- cont. IV infusion 1-2mcg/kg/min - IV aminophylline
- 5mg/kg bolus over 20 mins followed by cont. infusion at 1mg/kg/hr - IV mag sulph (preferred)
- up to 75mg/kg/day
Description of the wheeze heard in asthma
Expiratory polyphonic wheeze
4 tests used to investigate and diagnose suspected asthma in children
- fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO)
- obstructive spirometry
- bronchodilator reversibility test
- peak flow variability
Level of FeNO which may indicate asthma diagnosis
35ppb (parts per billion) or more
What is fractional exhaled nitric oxide and why is it useful
FeNO
NO is produced by cells involved in the inflammation associated with atopic asthma therefore measuring this gives an idea of how much inflammation is occurring and how severe the atopic asthma is
Result of obstructive spirometry which may indicate asthma diagnosis
FEV1/FVC ratio <70%
Result of bronchodilator reversibility test which may indicate asthma diagnosis
Improvement in FEV1 of >12%
Result of peak flow variability testing which may indicate asthma diagnosis
Variability over 20%
Step-up algorithm to management of chronic asthma in children over 5
- SABA as required (salbutamol)
- regular preventer - low dose inhaled corticosteroids (ICS)
- add LABA (salmeterol) or LTRA (montelukast)
- increase ICS or add remaining LABA/LRTA
- refer to specialist, consider stopping LABA
Which trisomy is related to Downs syndrome
21 (extra chromosome)
Clinical features of Downs syndrome often spotted at birth
- hypotonic
- flat occiput
- single palmar creases
- incurved fifth finger
- wide ‘sandal’ gap between big and second toes
Most common mechanism leading to trisomy 21
Meiotic nondysjunction (94%) Related to maternal age
Craniofacial appearance of Downs syndrome
- round face and flat nasal bridge
- upslanted palpebral fissures
- epicanthic folds
- brushfield spots in iris
- small mouth and protruding tongue
- small ears
- flat occiput and third fontanelle
Medical problems associated with Downs syndrome which may be present at birth
- congenital heart disease (40%)
- duodenal atresia
- Hirschsprung disease
Medical problems associated with Downs syndrome which may come later on in life
- delayed motor milestones
- learning difficulties
- short stature
- increased susceptibility to infections
- hearing impairment from secondary otitis media
- visual impairment
- obstructive sleep apnoea
- epilepsy
- early onset Alzheimer’s
2 tests (after birth) to investigate for Downs syndrome
Rapid PCR
Rapid fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH)
Which trisomy is associated with Edwards syndrome
Trisomy 18
Clinical features of Edwards syndrome
- low birth weight
- prominent occiput
- small mouth and chin
- short sternum
- flexed, overlapping fingers
- rocker-bottom feet
- low-set and malformed ears
- microcephaly
- cleft lip and palate
- malformation of sex organs
Complications associated with Edwards syndrome
Most die before or shortly after birth
- congenital heart defects (>90%)
- GI abnormalities e.g. hernia, pyloric stenosis
- UG abnormalities e.g. horseshoe kidney, hydronephrosis
- neuro e.g. hydrocephaly, severe learning disability
- central apnoea (can cause death)
Trisomy associated with Patau syndrome
Trisomy 13
Clinical features of Patau syndrome
- scalp defects
- small eyes and other eye defects (cyclops)
- cleft lip and palate
- polydactyly
- malformation of sex organs
- ear malformations
- rocker-bottom feet
Complications associated with Patau syndrome
Most die before or shortly after birth
- congenital heart defects (80%)
- severe learning disability
- central apnoea
- hearing impairment
- GI abnormalities e.g. hernia
- UG abnormalities e.g. polycystic kidneys
2 types of breath holding spells in children
- cyanotic/blue breath holding spells
2. reflex anoxic seizures
Description of a cyanotic/blue breath holding spell
An episode in which upset toddlers cry and (involuntarily) hold their breath on expiration leading to cyanosis. The child may lose consciousness but recovers quickly.
Description of a reflex anoxic seizure
After a trigger (e.g. pain, discomfort, minor head trauma, fright or fever), the vagus nerve sends strong signals to the heart to stop beating leading to pallor and loss of consciousness. Hypoxia may induce a tonic-clonic seizure but it is brief.
What is hyperekplexia
Whole body stiffening in response to a sudden noise or being touched/handled. Can be terminated by forced flexion of the neck.
Symptoms of reflux in babies
- bringing up milk or being sick shortly after feeds
- coughing/hiccupping during feeds
- unsettled during feeding
- swallowing or gulping after burping or feeding
- not gaining weight (not keeping food down)
When can children with chicken pox return to school
After all vesicles have crusted over
When can children with rubella return to school
After four days from onset of rash
When can children with impetigo return to school
After lesions are crusted and healed or after 48 hours of antibiotics
When can children with measles return to school
After four days from onset of rash
When can children with Scarlet fever return to school
After 24 hours of antibiotics